Australian Wood Duck

[Ralph]

There were are few of these about this morning at Lock 11 in Mildura.
They can be a nice looking ducks I think with the male with his bark brown head. But I think the female with the eye streaks the better looking of the 2.
With the female I got down as low as I can go but other can get lower than I can..

# 1 the Male

# 2 the young ones

# 3 The Family

# 4 Mumma Bird


# 5 I think this has come out nicely

# 6 same for this shot I think

# 7 a nice close up and the end.

[Ozzie_Traveller]

G'day Ralph

I esp like the closeups of the head / eyes ... lovely!
and #2 with him looking after the brood - a delightful image

Phil

[Ralph]

The parent Ducks actually had a fight with a Lapwing not too long after these shots were taken. The Male had a lot of feathers in his beak just to shot he meant business. Not one even humans are allowed too close to them at this age.

[wigz]

That's quite a collection Ralph. The ducklings are very cute in #2 and #3 and they are all pretty much facing the camera - well done.

#7 is my favourite here. Nice and sharp, good light, excellent feather detail, clean background and a good head angle. Excellent shot.

[Ralph]

Thank for that Alan the last shot I was able to force myself on to one knee. I look like a Giraffe having a drink of water due to knee replacement and and back ops. So it's a weird sight but she sat nice a quite so I risked it and I felt like it was worth while. I don't do it often but with your comment it must have been worth the extra effort. So I really do thank you for that.

[Isac]

What the others above have said Ralph - exquisite images.

[Ralph]

I think this is where the duck deserves some of the credit as it could have walked or flew of yet it chose to stay.
And without it;'s help the shots would not have been got. But these can get a little nasty with little ones are about, so we always have to watch what we are doing I think. Though very pleased with what I got to.